Pokhari

Pokhari is a toponym used in South Asia to denote a pond or water body. The term derives from the Nepali word pokhari (पोखरी), meaning pond, and is cognate with similar words in related languages such as Hindi pokhar and Bengali pokhri. As a place name, Pokhari is applied to villages, towns, and geographic features that are historically associated with a pond or irrigation water source.

Geography and usage: In Nepal and neighboring regions, there are multiple settlements that bear the name Pokhari. The name often indicates proximity to a notable pond, spring, or reservoir, and in rural contexts a communal water body has traditionally served agricultural, domestic, and religious purposes. The presence of a pond can influence local land use, agriculture, and social activities, and such places may host temples or shrines near the water.

Notable places: There are several places named Pokhari in Nepal and in parts of India, reflecting the widespread use of the term across Indo-Nepali linguistic areas. Each Pokhari is a distinct locality with its own administrative status, history, and community.

See also: Pokhara, a separate name referring to a different place; pokhri, a variant spelling; pond, a natural or artificial water body.